PINBACK In January of 1998, San Diego's Pinback was formed as a part-time recording project by Armistead Burwell Smith IV ("Zach") and Robert Rulon Crow Junior. While 3 Mile Pilot, Zach's previous band, had just fallen into a long hiatus, Rob was also able to utilize some down time in his perpetually busy musical schedule, to allow Pinback to evolve as a more serious project. Adding drummer Tom Zinser (also of 3 Mile Pilot) and taking their creative time, Pinback recorded, mixed and mastered every song on their self-titled record at home on Zach's personal computer.
After playing only three shows Tim/Kerr Records of Portland, Oregon immediately recognized the musical prowess of this band and signed Pinback for worldwide distribution rights. Unfortunately, their recording agreement with T/K immediately became problematic and six months of legal grappling then ensued. Finally released from contract, Pinback were immediately signed to Ace Fu Records, NY for worldwide manufacturing and distribution, and licensed to R and S, Belgium for European manufacturing and distribution.
The two years following the release of the duo's self-titled debut proved to be extremely productive for the band. Their fan base grew rapidly and the band embarked on two city West Coast tours and two European tours. Their hard work began to pay off. In February of 2001 National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" ran a glowing four-minute audio review of the CD. Immediately, the disc was within the top ten bestsellers on Amazon.com and the band started to gain significant momentum. In August of 2000 the Tree Recording Company from Chicago released a four song EP by the band entitled, Some Voices. With virtually no promotion the EP promptly charted at #42 on the CMJ Charts. By October of 2000 Urban Outfitters added the CD into rotation at all forty-two stores nationwide for seven months of in-store play. The word continued to travel about Pinback and in March of 2001 the band was spotlighted on the home page of Napster.com as a "Featured Artist," right during the peak of Napster's controversial media coverage. Fortunately, all of the attention Pinback received since their debut hasn't affected the band's songwriting agenda. In June of 2001 Rob and Zach finished recording, mixing and mastering (once again on Zach's personal computer) their long awaited second full length record, Blue Screen Life; and this record is undeniably the band's strongest work to date.
As with previous Pinback releases, the duo's propensity for thoughtful instrumentation and dense layering of melodies is remarkably unique and nothing short of beautiful. Every song on Blue Screen Life holds muted harmonies, hypnotic rhythms and lush orchestration that subtly resonate long after one listen. The duo trade vocals along with comfort, poise and precision. Yet, despite all of the underlying complexities in Pinback's music their songs always seem sincere, honest and simply dreamy.
Blue Screen Life shows the band's most creative and focused direction as a collaborative effort. The songs have a new energy and vibrancy about them that carries this record into new artistic terrain; terrain which will no doubt be admired and emulated.
[Show More]
Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
PINBACK In January of 1998, San Diego's Pinback was formed as a part-time recording project by Armistead Burwell Smith IV ("Zach") and Robert Rulon Crow Junior. While 3 Mile Pilot, Zach's previous band, had just fallen into a long hiatus, Rob was also able to utilize some down time in his perpetually busy musical schedule, to allow Pinback to evolve as a more serious project. Adding drummer Tom Zinser (also of 3 Mile Pilot) and taking their creative time, Pinback recorded, mixed and mastered every song on their self-titled record at home on Zach's personal computer.
After playing only three shows Tim/Kerr Records of Portland, Oregon immediately recognized the musical prowess of this band and signed Pinback for worldwide distribution rights. Unfortunately, their recording agreement with T/K immediately became problematic and six months of legal grappling then ensued. Finally released from contract, Pinback were immediately signed to Ace Fu Records, NY for worldwide manufacturing and distribution, and licensed to R and S, Belgium for European manufacturing and distribution.
The two years following the release of the duo's self-titled debut proved to be extremely productive for the band. Their fan base grew rapidly and the band embarked on two city West Coast tours and two European tours. Their hard work began to pay off. In February of 2001 National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" ran a glowing four-minute audio review of the CD. Immediately, the disc was within the top ten bestsellers on Amazon.com and the band started to gain significant momentum. In August of 2000 the Tree Recording Company from Chicago released a four song EP by the band entitled, Some Voices. With virtually no promotion the EP promptly charted at #42 on the CMJ Charts. By October of 2000 Urban Outfitters added the CD into rotation at all forty-two stores nationwide for seven months of in-store play. The word continued to travel about Pinback and in March of 2001 the band was spotlighted on the home page of Napster.com as a "Featured Artist," right during the peak of Napster's controversial media coverage. Fortunately, all of the attention Pinback received since their debut hasn't affected the band's songwriting agenda. In June of 2001 Rob and Zach finished recording, mixing and mastering (once again on Zach's personal computer) their long awaited second full length record, Blue Screen Life; and this record is undeniably the band's strongest work to date.
As with previous Pinback releases, the duo's propensity for thoughtful instrumentation and dense layering of melodies is remarkably unique and nothing short of beautiful. Every song on Blue Screen Life holds muted harmonies, hypnotic rhythms and lush orchestration that subtly resonate long after one listen. The duo trade vocals along with comfort, poise and precision. Yet, despite all of the underlying complexities in Pinback's music their songs always seem sincere, honest and simply dreamy.
Blue Screen Life shows the band's most creative and focused direction as a collaborative effort. The songs have a new energy and vibrancy about them that carries this record into new artistic terrain; terrain which will no doubt be admired and emulated.
[Show Less]
Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
DISCOVER EVENTS
BUZZING
CRITICS' PICK
FRIENDS' PICK
MY PICKS
Website
Twitter
Facebook
iTunes
COMMENTS